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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Obaseki lists gains of APC-controlled House of Assembly

    …persuades electorates to vote party’s candidates

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has itemized the benefits of having an All Progressives Congress-controlled State House of Assembly to include a rancour-free relationship between the legislature and the executive arms of government which would enhance the ease of governing.

    Obaseki who urged voters in the state to come out en masse and elect candidates of the APC in the forthcoming House of Assembly election, said, “Under the current APC-controlled state assembly, we have had harmonious relationship that paved the way for several laws that have enhanced the well-being of Edo people and residents.”

    The governor further said, “We were able to nip the unwholesome activities of Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the bud, through a piece of legislation that received expedited action from members of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    “We have raised the tempo of our fight against human trafficking in the state because we have the enabling laws and other forms of support from the legislature and we need to sustain the positive strides.”

    He explained that, “In a democracy such as ours, the election of lawmakers cannot be left to chance because they are the ones that will formulate laws for our people.

    “Their political ideology should be in harmony with that of the executive for ease of governing. We do not want an assembly that will kick against our reforms and derail our wheel of progress.”

    Read Also: Obaseki inaugurates 17-member Edo PHC board

    He noted that the House of Assembly election slated for Saturday, March 9, is as good as his re-election bid, because “the elected legislators will be the ones to work with me and treat our bills and other legislative matters from May 29.

    “Today, millions of Edo people are witnesses to our achievements as a government, occasioned largely by a supportive House of Assembly, made up of very focused and patriotic people who genuinely seek the development of our dear state.”

    He added that the Edo House of Assembly has no space for rabble rousers, ill-prepared individuals, whose only interest is to cause disaffection for pecuniary motive.

  • Polls: PDP accuses Obaseki of harassing traders to vote APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of resorting to blackmail, intimidation and harassment of traders in the state with a view to forcing them to vote for the All Progressives Congress in Saturday’s House of Assembly elections.

    It said the state government financially induced various market leaders at New Benin, Oba Market, Etinosa Market and Ekiuwa market to force and blackmailed traders at the markets to join an “Apology March” to government house scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2019 to beg Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Obaseki for forgiveness.

    The PDP said it was clear that Edo people have rejected the APC policy and style and urged the people to give the APC a bloody nose again on March 9, 2019.

    Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, who stated this in a press statement said the traders are to join the in Apology March and pledge loyalty to APC or they lose their stalls in the markets.

    Nehikhare urged the traders to resist the threat and see the elections as an opportunity to wake Edo state from its deep legislative slumber and make the state work again.

    According to the statement, “Threatening a man’s means of financial survival for political compliance is reprehensible, irresponsible and condemnable. It exposes this government and its party, APC, as hollow, wicked and devilish.

    “Edo PDP uses this opportunity to reassure the market women and traders that the APC threat is not actionable. It is a ruse!

    “They have no powers to take your stalls talkless of demolish the market as they are boasting they would. You must stand up to the bullies. APC cannot bully Edo people.

    Read Also: Obaseki congratulates Buhari on deserved victory

    “We sincerely appeal to you to extend same support you gave to our presidential and National Assembly candidates and vote massively for PDP House of Assembly candidates. Your support will guarantee quality representation and robust debates in the assembly.”

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, described the allegation as a complete false and creation of the Edo PDP.

    Osagie said it would take someone suffering from horrific hallucination to imagine that Governor Obaseki would hurt interest of the traders after prioritising their wellbeing through several reforms of trade practices.

    He noted that some of the traders might not have obtained degrees from universities but they were more intelligent than Nehikhare.

    According to him, “It is still lost on PDP that they lost the war in the presidential and national assembly elections held on Saturday February 23.

    “They have depended on lies for decades as a strategy for accessing power and swindling people’s mandates, but Edo people and Nigerians now know them for what they truly are, mandate swindlers!

    “Nehikhare must think very little of our illustrious women, mothers and sisters, who toil night and day to keep food on the table of most families in our state.

    “For example, they know who has cared for them the most; sanitising revenue collection in the markets, rebuilding markets raised by fire incident, and appointing a market woman as a member of the board of the State Universal Basic Education Board, to represent the interest of our market women and mothers on the SUBEB board.”

     

  • Communities applaud Obaseki for ongoing remodelling of schools

    As remodelling work progresses on the 230 public primary schools across Edo State, residents in some of the schools’ host communities have applauded Governor Godwin Obaseki for sustaining reform of basic education in the state.

    A cross-section of residents in some of the communities who spoke to journalists, said steps by the state government to revamp the schools, will complement the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to improve learning outcomes in the basic education sector.

    A retired school administrator in Ugbiyoko, Mr. Daniel Otinua, described the intervention of the state government as timely and strategic in transforming public education at the basic level, noting, “With the training of 7000 teachers on modern methods of teaching, it is only logical that schools where the modern technological tools are deployed, be remodelled to ensure children learn in a conducive environment.”

    A parent in Evbuotubu axis of Benin City, Mrs. Monica Osunde, said that the governor deserves to be encouraged as he has shown uncommon commitment to restoring the lost glory of basic education in the state.

    Read Also: Polls: We did well, says Obaseki

    According to her, “from what I see being done in one of the schools, children will get the best from the schools. I thank the state government for approving the 230 schools for refurbishment.

    “After the renovation work, my children will have the chance to return to their school. We are really happy that schools are being worked on. It is not every government that places this emphasis on primary schools. It is worth commending.”

    Favour Ikponmwosa, who lives in Egor Local Government Area of the state, expressed appreciation to the governor for listing Eweka Primary School among the schools in the first phase of the renovation work, and said: “I thank Governor Obaseki for remembering our children.”

     

     

  • Obaseki appreciates Edo voters for increasing acceptance of APC

    Following the outcome of the presidential elections in the state, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has expressed appreciation to Edo people for the growing acceptance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    In a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the governor said that the state’s performance in the 2019 election is an improvement on its performance in the 2015 elections.

    According to him, “With the results out, it is obvious that there is a growing acceptance of the APC in the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. The margins show that we have considerably closed the gap here. The outcome of the polls turned out to be better than the previous one held in the state in 2015.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s aide urges INEC to embrace ICT

    The governor’s aide said that a comparison of the results shows that in 2019, PDP polled 275,691, and the APC got 267,842; while in 2015, the PDP scored 286,869 against APC’s 208,469 in the presidential election.

    “In 2015, the margin of defeat was 78400 votes, but in 2019, it dropped by 90 per cent to 7849 votes. This is a considerable improvement on the party’s performance,” he added.

    He assured that a better feat will be recorded in the March 9 gubernatorial and house of assembly elections. He said the state government is growing towards a people-oriented political culture, which bodes well for democracy.

    According to him, “We appreciate the people of Edo for coming out en masse to cast their votes and for aligning with the vision of returning President Muhammadu Buhari, and we wish to congratulate them for the party’s strong showing.”

     

  • Polls: We did well, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the All Progressives Congress did well in the state when compared to results of the 2015 general elections.

    In last Saturday’s general elections, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party won two seats in the Senate and four House of Representatives seats while the APC won a seat in the Senate and five seats in the House of Representatives.

    Governor Obaseki who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr.

    said he appreciated Edo people for the growing acceptance of the APC in Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Obaseki however assured that the APC  would record better results in the March 9 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

    According to him, “With the results out, it is obvious that there is a growing acceptance of the APC in the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. The margins show that we have considerably closed the gap here. The outcome of the polls turned out to be better than the previous one held in the state in 2015.

    Read Also: Obaseki votes, hails peaceful polls

    “A comparison of the results shows that in 2019, PDP polled 275,691, and the APC got 267,842; while in 2015, the PDP scored 286,869 against APC’s 208,469 in the presidential election.

    “In 2015, the margin of defeat was 78400 votes, but in 2019, it dropped by 90 per cent to 7849 votes. This is a considerable improvement on the party’s performance.

    “We appreciate the people of Edo for coming out en masse to cast their votes and for aligning with the vision of returning President Muhammadu Buhari, and we wish to congratulate them for the party’s strong showing.”

  • Obaseki to revamp Irrua Technical College

    …assures of more job creation initiatives in Edo Central

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured Edo residents of his administration’s plans to refurbish the Government Science and Technical College, Irrua, as part of ongoing effort to reposition Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the state to boost skilled workforce.

    The governor gave the assurance at the official flag-off of remediation work on Ewu and Ibore gully erosion sites in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the next plan for the council is economic empowerment for youths through technical education and revitalisation of Ewu Flour Mill which will provide jobs.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s aide urges INEC to embrace ICT

    “The technical school at Irrua will be rehabilitated so that our youths can acquire skills that would enable them sustain themselves.”

    Recall that while on an inspection tour of ongoing rehabilitation work at the Government Science  and Technical College (GSTC), formerly known as the Benin Technical College, in Benin City, Obaseki said that the state government was working with the World Bank and Federal Ministry of Education to access a facility that would be used to promote technical education in the state.

    He added that the facility which is expected to be available by June this year, would be used to replicate the structures being constructed at the GSTC in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts.

  • Obaseki urges timely remodeling of 230 public schools

    With work progressing on a large number of the 230 primary schools marked for remodelling by his administration, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has charged contractors handling the rehabilitation work on timely completion of the projects to provide conducive learning environment for pupils in the state.

    In a statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the governor said that the state government is committed to providing serene, conducive learning environment for the pupils in line with the infrastructure renewal component of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme.

    The rehabilitation of public primary schools is a cardinal part of the Edo-BEST programme which will ensure that the new system of Information Communication Technology (ICT)-based teaching and learning in primary schools is conducted in a sane environment.

    The governor’s aide said construction work is progressing in Edokpokor, Igbesanmwan, Eweka, Evbuotubu, Ugbiyokho, Imasabor, Okhoro primary schools.

    Read Also: Obaseki votes, hails peaceful polls

    Others are Oba Ewuare, Osunde, Amegor primary schools as well as Obe Primary School, in Sabongidda-Ora, Owan West Local Government of the state.

    According to him, “The governor has given a marching order to the contractors to deliver quality work. He has just urged them to ensure that they deliver the job in good time so that the pupils can learn in a safe, habitable environment.

    “The renovation work which cuts across different parts of the state will see us having primary schools that we can be proud of.

    “Another critical reason why these schools are being remodeled is for them to complement the other reforms in the basic education sub-sector. So, with this, teachers will now teach in proper classrooms and the children, who will now learn in more comfortable classes, will be the better for it.”

     

  • Edo SEEFOR flags off road projects in Owan West

    …as council chair hails Obaseki’s developmental strides

     

    Chairman, Owan West Local Government Area, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, has commended Governor Godwin Obaseki’s forthright and people-focused approach to development, noting that the stance has paved the way for his council to properly align its development efforts to impact the people.

    The council boss said this at the flag-off of road construction projects executed by the Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) in Owan West Local Government Area. The roads are Irueghe Street, Ajanaku Street, Palace Road, Ozalla, among others.

    Hon. Ilaboya praised Governor Obaseki for constructing five roads at the same time in the local government, noting, “I want to express my appreciation to Governor Godwin Obaseki on behalf of the people of Owan West LGA for these wonderful projects. The governor is development-oriented, and we will continue to support him.”

    The contractor handling the project, Engr. Otunba Ahmed, said the roads in the area are being constructed by the Edo State Government through SEEFOR.

    Ahmed explained that the exercise was in line with Governor Obaseki’s vision to ensure that more roads are constructed in a bid to promote development in the state, adding that the projects will be completed in the next sixty days.

    He assured that the project will be carried out in line approved specifications.

    During the flag-off of the roads, the community leader, Mr. Paul Asivbiekpen, expressed appreciation to the governor, noting, that the gesture will make movement pleasant and lead to economic advancement for the people in the community.

  • Traditional ruler applauds Obaseki on Ewu, Ibore gully erosion remediation work

    …says govt’s intervention saved lives

     

    The Onojie of Ewu, His Royal Highness, Rasaq Ojiefo III, has commended Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for embarking on remediation work to mitigate gully erosion in Ewu and Ibore communities.

    Ojiefo III said this when governor Obaseki visited the site of the remediation work at Ewu.

    According to him, “We thank you our governor, the contractors and everyone working towards the success of the project. We have lost over ten persons to this gully before this work commenced.”

    The Ewu and Ibore gully erosion remediation works are being executed by the state government and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).

    While inspecting progress of work at the site in Ewu, Governor Obaseki identified human activities as the main cause of gully erosion, and urged residents of communities threatened by erosion and other forms of natural disasters to take proactive steps in raising the alarm for urgent government intervention.

    He said, “If the communities had alerted government on time, the threat to their environment could have been prevented and unnecessary loss of lives and huge financial costs avoided.”

    Read Also: Obaseki votes, hails peaceful polls

    The governor added that the remediation work marked the end of the trauma, uncertainty, loss of lives and property in the two communities and a new beginning for proper environmental and waste management.

    Adding to the commendation, spokesperson for Ibore Community, Mr. Theophilus Okoh, praised governor Obaseki for fulfilling his electioneering promises in 2016.

    Earlier, Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Oni-Okpaku, said the remediation work on the erosion sites at Ewu and Ibore was among other ongoing projects across the state.

    Oni-Okpaku urged residents in the affected communities to cooperate with contractors handling the project to ensure completion of the project’s second phase.

     

     

  • Obaseki advocates collective effort in preserving Edo languages

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has urged for collective effort among relevant stakeholders in preserving local languages in Nigeria to promote social integration and prevent loss of identity.

    The governor said this on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Mother Language Day, marked by the United Nations.

    Obaseki decried the lackluster attitude to the preservation of languages, challenging linguists, parents and other concerned stakeholders to coordinate efforts in regaining the fast receding fortunes of Nigerian languages.

    According to him, “it is imperative to celebrate a day like this. This will draw attention to the issue of loss of languages. In Edo State, we have taken deliberate steps to ensure that we preserve our local languages by engaging dedicated teachers.”

    Read Also: Obaseki orders payment of February salary to Edo workers

    He added, “We are committed to revamping the basic education sector. This is why we are working hard to ensure that dedicated teachers for languages are provided for in the Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme.

    According to the United Nations, “Linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and more languages disappear. Globally 40 per cent of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand. Nevertheless, progress is being made in mother tongue-based multilingual education with growing understanding of its importance, particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its development in public life.”

    The UN added that, “Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way.”